BUZZARDS BAY, Mass – It's a new year and a new chapter for the Buccaneer softball program in 2020. In 2019 the Bucs finished 5-27, 0-14 in MASCAC play, last in the conference standings. In the MASCAC preseason coaches' poll the Bucs were voted to finish 8^th in the conference. With first year head coach Willis Griffiths taking the helm and Alison Rollins Field receiving a massive face lift in the offseason the Buccaneers are getting ready for the next chapter of the program.

Coach Griff comes to the Buccaneers after spending three seasons as an assistant softball coach at Bridgewater State University. He also spent time as the president of the Bridgewater Girls Recreation/Travel Softball Program and has his ACE Level 4 coaching certification through the Amateur Softball Association of America.

"This program has so much potential and we are looking forward to discovering that potential in the coming years at Mass Maritime." Said Coach Griff. "We have a great facility and a young team that is looking forward to getting out on the field and competing in 2020 and beyond."

The Buccaneer roster is made up of five returners from 2019, one returner from 2018 and five freshman. The team's captains for the 2020 season are senior catcher Madison Ovadek (Greenland, N.H.) and junior third baseman Madison Coughlin (Monroe, Conn). Last season, Ovadek batted .387 to lead the team, and tallied an on base percentage of .427, which also led the team. She racked up 29 hits including two doubles and a home run. She scored 14 runs, drove in 10 more and walked six times. Coughlin rejoins the team after missing last season due to academic commitment. In 2018, Coughlin batted .282 with 20 hits and two triples. She drove in six runs and scored 10 runs. With five walks to her credit she posted a .346 on base percentage. Back for her sophomore campaign, Malarie Pittsley (Dighton, Mass) served as the team's number one arm in the circle in 2019 while also impressing at the plate and in the field. Pittsley picked up three wins in 82.2 innings pitched last season. At the plate she was second on the team behind Ovadek in hits with 27, eight of which were for extra bases, including five doubles, one triple and two home runs. Malarie drove in a team-high 14 runs, scored a team-high 21 times, walked a team-high ten times and was second on the team in on base percentage at .394.

The team graduated two players from 2019, Emily Goodwin, Rachel Gardner and Hannah Benton but have filled their spots with five freshman, including Molly Field (Manchester, Mass) who is expected to make an impact for the Bucs right away.

The Buccaneer softball schedule will be played on 18 dates this spring, all dates are doubleheaders, for a total of 36 games, including 14 MASCAC games. Coach Griff and the Bucs are at home for their first 10 games on the season, beginning with a matchup with Rivier University on Thursday, March 12^th at 3:30pm. On the 14^th they host Rhode Island College who the team opened the season with last season, and host Northern Vermont – Lyndon on the 15^th. Both double headers begin at 12pm. On Thursday, March 19^th, Fisher College comes to Buzzards Bay for a pair of games beginning at 3pm. They close their home stand on Saturday, March 21^st at 12pm against Norwich University.

The Bucs hit the road for their next six games with two against Curry on Sunday, March 22^nd, two with Regis College on Wednesday the 25^th and close out the road trip with a pair of conference games against Salem State on the 28^th in Salem at 12pm.

They close out the month of March with a set of games against Bay Path on Sunday, March 29^th beginning at 12pm.

April starts with a pair of games against Becker College on the road on the 2^nd followed by two sets of road conference games against Framingham State on April 4^th at 1pm and preseason favorite Bridgewater State on Tuesday the 7^th beginning at 3:30pm.

The Bucs are back home for two against Westfield State in conference play on Friday, April 10^th at 3:30pm. Maritime's last conference win came against Westfield in 2018, 6-0, at AlisonRollins Field.

Non-conference double headers against Anna Maria and Lasell are on the docket for the Bucs on April 15^th and 16^th respectively. They take on an AMCATS team in Paxton, Mass, that they split a double header with in 2019. In the 6-2 win over Anna Maria, Camryn Roberts-Capak (Barnstable, Mass) and Savanna Leite (New Bedford, Mass) each had two hits. The following day the Bucs will take on the Lasell Lasers at home at 3:30pm.

Three opponents, six games, remain on the schedule for the Bucs in the regular season with four at home and two on the road. The Worcester State Lancers come to Taylor's Point on Saturday, April 18^th for two beginning at 12pm. The Bucs then go on the road for the final time in 2020 for a matchup with Fitchburg State on Monday, April 20^th, Patriots Day, beginning at 12pm. The regular season will finish on Saturday, April 25^th against MCLA at 1pm. It will also be senior day for lone senior and captain Maddy Ovadek.

For more on the Buccaneer softball schedule, roster and statistics visit mmabucs.com. Make sure to follow the Buccaneers on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.